Beautiful. Resilient. Inspirational. Lizzie Velasquez. Lizzie was born with a medical condition that only two other people in the world are known to have—she has no body fat. As a result, she has never weighed more than 64 pounds and has to consume small meals every hour. When Lizzie was in high school, someone posted… Continue Reading →
Does this name make me look fat? (Why “fatgirlism” needs to stop.)
At Thanksgiving this year, my aunt said I shouldn’t go by “Beth” because it’s “a fat girl’s name”. And before that, when a family friend named his kid Maddie, my brother cringed and said, “I can’t believe he named her that—it just sounds like a fat-girl name!” If you’re appalled and confused by these judgments,… Continue Reading →
Lady Gaga fights negativity with positivity, kicks ass
In a classy move, Lady Gaga has responded to the media frenzy surrounding her weight gain with positivity. On her social networking website, Little Monsters, she posted four candid, unedited photographs of herself in skimpy underwear, accompanied by these captions: “Bulimia and anorexia since I was 15” “But today I join the BODY REVOLUTION” “To Inspire Bravery.” “and BREED… Continue Reading →
When did nude become news?
Kate Middleton’s breasts got suddenly famous, and the uproar ensued. As you know by now, on September 14, the French magazine Closer printed photographs of Kate Middleton sunbathing topless on a vacation with Prince William — without Kate’s knowledge or approval. Consumers of gossip mags know that this is hardly unusual. We fawn over pictures… Continue Reading →
Not wearing makeup on TV is literally Headline News
I have a pretty traditional work schedule, in that I’m not usually home during the day. This means that I’m not too familiar with talk shows. So, when I saw the headline “’The Talk’ hosts’ makeup-free premiere,” I wasn’t sure what or whom they were discussing. It turns out that “The Talk” is a daytime… Continue Reading →
Barney’s + Disney = Scary-skinny makeovers
High-end retail department behemoth Barney’s New York announced its holiday collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, wherein our beloved characters get the “runway treatment” (Read: slimmed to scary proportions). The front runners? A truly Skinny Minnie, a drastically dieted-down Daisy Duck, hipster Goofy, and more irritatingly altered versions of the iconic clan. In the short… Continue Reading →
Hey, fat girl! Shrink!
Spas are supposed to be relaxing, luxuriating experiences. I have personally never been to one, but from what I hear, you get pampered, massaged, relieve stress, and the like. You know what I didn’t know was a part of the spa experience here in New York, where I live? Being told you’re fat. And that… Continue Reading →
What we learned from the Olympics’ coverage of female athletes
This year’s Olympics in London provided some notable victories for women. It was the first Olympics where there were female athletes from all participating countries. And as always, the Olympics put strong, capable women in the spotlight. In a media landscape where female celebrities are often reported on for their fashion, hair style, or fluctuating… Continue Reading →
Six Weeks to OMG You’re Totally Insane
As a New York City commuter, I am privy to a whole host of crappy advertisements that plaster the subways and buses of our public transportation system. Inevitably, this includes ads that try to entice me to buy all manner of junk food, watch a ton of terrible television, and buy the latest pop-health book…. Continue Reading →